Everyone can agree high-quality preschool experiences are extremely beneficial for young children. Children attending these programs have greater academic gains and the socialization leads to stronger social and emotional skills (check out our October 12th blog post: The Value of Socialization). But, did you know these benefits actually stretch throughout the child’s lifetime? In October,… Read More
Play is the work of a child. It’s how the deepest, most meaningful learning happens. So, it’s not playtime versus learning time. Playtime IS learning time. We wanted to take a more detailed look at block play. Why Block Play? Blocks are a classic toy that almost everyone, of any age, has played with at some… Read More
With shorter days and droppings temperatures, falling into a winter “rut” can happen quickly. For families with young children, being stuck indoors can make for antsy kids and stressed out parents. We’ve compiled a list of 10 easy, family-friendly things to do to beat those winter blues. Let out your artistic side: Roll a large… Read More
Many parents, of young children especially, would agree mornings can be hectic. Getting everyone fed, bathed, dressed, packed up and out of the house can set quite a chaotic scene. As always, we’re here to help! We’ve collected some tips from various resources to make your mornings run as smoothly as possible. Start the night… Read More
Thanksgiving is upon us once again! It’s easy to get caught up in the planning and preparation of the turkey and stuffing and we often forget to embrace the true spirit of the holiday… giving thanks. Everyone knows gratitude is important. It’s meaningful, and sometimes vital, to express gratitude for what (and who) you have… Read More
Children won’t say “I had a hard day, can we talk?” They say “will you come play with me?” You may have seen this quote on social media recently. We, at Ducklings, found this very powerful! Young children may ask for help, support or someone to talk to in very different ways than adults. It’s… Read More
Everyone knows physical movement is an important part of a healthy life, especially in childhood. Physical activity impacts our health in many ways but did you know that one specific type of physical movement can impact a child’s cognitive and emotional development? “Crossing the midline” requires both sides of the brain to communicate and work… Read More
With the current 24/7 news cycle, it can difficult to shield your children from hearing about violent acts and tragic events. Many parents wonder, “how do I talk to my young child about something so serious?” We have collected various resources to help. The first thing for parents and caregivers to understand is that safety… Read More
No one can deny we want young children to develop confidence, dream big and understand that everyone is smart and strong in their own, individual way. The Boston Globe recently shared findings of a study published the in journal Science. The study looked at 400 children between the ages of 5 and 7 and found “girls… Read More
Many of us have memories of Sesame Street from our childhood. The show, premiering in 1969, has been welcomed into homes for half a century. Sesame Street has constantly evolved over the past five decades, integrating educational with timely social issues. An article from Smithsonian Magazine explains, “For years the show’s creators have been spicing up… Read More